Wacky Holidays around the World

Wacky Holidays Around the World
Funky Festivals
Cheese, Tomatoes and Bears: Oh My!

We sing Christmas carols around Christmas, gorge ourselves with more food than our stomachs can hold on Thanksgiving, and clink glasses of apple cider on New Year’s. These traditions reflect the typical American experience when it comes to holidays – simple and heartwarming. While we are used to practices that are relatively common and normal, other countries have found a way to celebrate their holidays in the most bizarre ways.
Bunol, Spain: Known as the famous La Tomatina, this Spanish holiday revolves around honoring the town’s patron saint. How do they honor a religious figure? By spending a week throwing, hurdling, and barraging people in the streets of Bunol with overripe tomatoes. Commonly referred to as the largest food fight in the world, La Tomatina occurs each August. After a few hours of intense battling with tomatoes, firefighters spray down the streets and the participants alike with gallons of water. The pinnacle event of the holiday occurs when some climb a greased pole in attempts to retrieve the ham set on top. Though the epic food fight occurs for religious reasons, it’s safe to say the Spanish also have a lot of fun participating.
Whittlesey, England: Every January, the English celebrate what is known as Straw Bear Day, an ancient festival that fell into decline but was revived in 1980 by the Whittlesey Society. One young boy dons a five-pound bear costume made out of straw and performs celebratory dances in the streets in exchange for gifts of money and food. The bear is often followed by a procession of around 300 dancers, musicians, and performers. The following Sunday after the parade, the “Bear Burning” ceremony takes place, where the bear costume is set aflame to ensure the creation of a new bear the following year to celebrate the harvest.
Lopburi, Thailand: We are used to holidays celebrating people and the comforts of family. However, every November the Thai celebrate an intelligent and curious animal, the monkey. The Lopburi Monkey Festival is a relatively new holiday in which more than 2,000 Macaque monkeys of Wat Pra Prang Sam Yot Temple are served a buffet of delectable treats including fruits, ice cream, and even grilled sausages that required more than 20 chefs. These monkeys parade the town, wreaking havoc and stealing food from the hands of pedestrians. But no one minds because after all, monkeys bring prosperity to their town
Gloucester, England: People from all around the world flock to Cooper Hill during May to participate in the exciting Cheese Rolling and Wake event. One of England’s most popular events, the tradition is rumored to stem from Roman times or been involved in pagan healing rituals. The game begins when a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down from the top of Cooper Hill. When the cheese begins rolling, competitors race down the hill after it, scrambling to catch the cheese before it crosses the finish line. Because the cheese not only has a second head start and can reach up to 70 mph, the feat rarely occurs so the first person to cross the finish line wins the competition. Because the hill is steep and uneven, a number of injuries have occurred in the cheese frenzy ranging from sprained ankles to concussions which is why first aid service is now provided at the event for safety precaution.
Needless to say, hundreds of other wacky holidays occur throughout the world and these are just a few to spark international interest. With these mind, you are now justified in engaging in vicious tomato fights, parading around in straw, feeding monkeys your unwanted vegetables, and last but not least, rolling cheese down hills. After all, they are holidays.

Wacky Holidays Around the World
Funky Festivals
Cheese, Tomatoes and Bears: Oh My!
We sing Christmas carols around Christmas, gorge ourselves with more food than our stomachs can hold on Thanksgiving, and clink glasses of apple cider on New Year’s. These traditions reflect the typical American experience when it comes to holidays – simple and heartwarming. While we are used to practices that are relatively common and normal, other countries have found a way to celebrate their holidays in the most bizarre ways.
Bunol, Spain: Known as the famous La Tomatina, this Spanish holiday that occurs every August revolves around honoring the town’s patron saint. They honor him by spending a week throwing, hurdling, and barraging people in the streets of Bunol with overripe tomatoes. After a few hours of intense battling with tomatoes, firefighters spray down the streets and the participants alike with gallons of water. Though the epic food fight occurs for religious reasons, it’s safe to say the Spanish also have a lot of fun participating.
Whittlesey, England: Every January, the English celebrate what is known as Straw Bear Day, an ancient festival revived in 1980 by the Whittlesey Society. One young boy dons a five-pound bear costume made out of straw and performs celebratory dances in the streets in exchange for gifts of money and food. The bear is often followed by a procession of around 300 dancers, musicians, and performers. The following Sunday after the parade, the “Bear Burning” ceremony takes place, where the bear costume is set aflame to ensure the creation of a new bear the following year to celebrate the harvest.
Lopburi, Thailand: We are used to holidays celebrating people and the comforts of family. However, every November the Thai celebrate an intelligent and curious animal, the monkey. The Lopburi Monkey Festival is a relatively new holiday in which more than 2,000 Macaque monkeys are served a buffet of delectable treats including fruits, ice cream, and even grilled sausages. These monkeys parade the town, wreaking havoc and stealing food from the hands of pedestrians. But no one minds because monkeys are rumored to bring prosperity to their town.
Gloucester, England: People from all around the world flock to Cooper Hill during May to participate in the exciting Cheese Rolling and Wake event. One of England’s most popular events, the tradition is rumored to stem from Roman times or been involved in pagan healing rituals. The game begins when a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down from the top of Cooper Hill. When the cheese begins rolling, competitors race down the hill after it, scrambling to catch the cheese before it crosses the finish line. Because the cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph, the feat rarely occurs so the first person to cross the finish line wins the competition. Because the hill is steep and uneven, a number of injuries have occurred in the cheese frenzy ranging from sprained ankles to concussions which is why first aid service is now provided at the event for safety precaution.
Needless to say, hundreds of other wacky holidays occur throughout the world and these are just a few to spark international interest. With these mind, you are now justified in engaging in vicious tomato fights, parading around in straw, feeding monkeys your unwanted vegetables, and last but not least, rolling cheese down hills. After all, they are holidays.

Wacky Holidays Around the World
Funky Festivals
Cheese, Tomatoes and Bears: Oh My!
We sing Christmas carols around Christmas, gorge ourselves with more food than our stomachs can hold on Thanksgiving, and clink glasses of apple cider on New Year’s. These traditions reflect the typical American experience when it comes to holidays – simple and heartwarming. While we are used to practices that are relatively common and normal, other countries have found a way [are accustomed] to celebrate[ing] their holidays in the most bizarre ways.
Bunol, Spain: Known as the famous La Tomatina, this Spanish holiday that occurs every August revolves around honoring the town’s patron saint. They honor him by spending a week throwing, hurdling, and barraging people in the streets of Bunol with overripe tomatoes. After a few hours of intense battling with tomatoes, firefighters spray down the streets and the participants alike with gallons of water. Though the epic food fight occurs for religious reasons, it’s safe to say the Spanish also have a lot of fun participating.
Whittlesey, England: Every January, the English celebrate what is known as Straw Bear Day, an ancient festival revived in 1980 by the Whittlesey Society. One young boy dons a five-pound bear costume made out of straw and performs celebratory dances in the streets in exchange for gifts of money and food. The bear is often followed by a procession of around 300 dancers, musicians, and performers. The following Sunday after the parade, the “Bear Burning” ceremony takes place, where the bear costume is set aflame to ensure the creation of a new bear the following year to celebrate the harvest.
Lopburi, Thailand: We are used to holidays celebrating people and the comforts of family. However, every November the Thai celebrate an intelligent and curious animal, the monkey. The Lopburi Monkey Festival is a relatively new holiday in which more than 2,000 Macaque monkeys are served a buffet of delectable treats including fruits, ice cream, and even grilled sausages. These monkeys parade the town, wreaking havoc and stealing food from the hands of pedestrians. But no one minds because monkeys are rumored to bring prosperity to their town.
Gloucester, England: People from all around the world flock to Cooper Hill during May to participate in the exciting Cheese Rolling and Wake event. One [As one] of England’s most popular events, the tradition is rumored to stem from Roman times or been involved in pagan healing rituals. The game begins when a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down from the top of Cooper Hill. When the cheese begins rolling, competitors race down the hill after it, scrambling to catch the cheese before it crosses the finish line. Because the cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph, the feat rarely occurs so the first person to cross the finish line wins the competition. Because [start the sentence off with another word.. you started the sentence before with because also] the hill is steep and uneven, a number of injuries have occurred in the cheese frenzy ranging from sprained ankles to concussions which is why first aid service is now provided at the event for safety precaution.
Needless to say, hundreds of other wacky holidays occur throughout the world and these are just a few to spark international interest. With these [in] mind, you are now justified in engaging in vicious tomato fights, parading around in straw, feeding monkeys your unwanted vegetables, and last but not least, rolling cheese down hills. After all, they are holidays.

We gorge ourselves with delectable dishes of food on Thanksgiving, sing carols around Christmas, and clink glasses of apple cider on New Year’s. These traditions reflect the typical American experience when it comes to holidays— simple and heartwarming. While we are used to practices that are relatively common and normal even on non-holiday events, other countries are accustomed to celebrating their holidays in the most bizarre ways.
Bunol, Spain: Known as the famous La Tomatina, this Spanish holiday that occurs every August revolves around honoring the town’s patron saint. The townspeople honor him by spending a week throwing, hurdling, and barraging people with overripe tomatoes in the streets of Bunol. After a few hours of intense battling with tomatoes, firefighters spray down the streets and the participants alike with gallons of water. Though the epic food fight occurs for religious reasons, it’s safe to say the Spanish also have a lot of fun participating.
Whittlesey, England: Every January, the English celebrate what is known as Straw Bear Day, an ancient festival revived in 1980 by the Whittlesey Society. One young boy dons a five-pound bear costume made out of straw and performs celebratory dances in the streets in exchange for gifts of money and food. The bear is often followed by a procession of around 300 dancers, musicians, and performers. The following Sunday after the parade, the “Bear Burning” ceremony takes place, in which the bear costume is set aflame to ensure the creation of a new bear the following year to celebrate the harvest.
Lopburi, Thailand: We are used to holidays celebrating people and the comforts of family. However, every November the Thai celebrate an intelligent and curious animal, the monkey. The Lopburi Monkey Festival is a relatively new holiday in which more than 2,000 Macaque monkeys are served a buffet of delectable treats including fruits, ice cream, and even grilled sausages. These monkeys parade the town, wreaking havoc and stealing food from the hands of pedestrians. But no one minds because monkeys are rumored to bring prosperity to their town.
Gloucester, England: People from all around the world flock to Cooper Hill during May to participate in the exciting Cheese Rolling and Wake event. As one of England’s most popular events, the tradition is rumored to stem from Roman times or to have been involved in pagan healing rituals. The game begins when a round of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down from the top of Cooper Hill. When the cheese begins rolling, competitors race down the hill after it, scrambling to catch the cheese before it crosses the finish line. Because the cheese can reach speeds up to 70 mph, the feat rarely occurs, so the first person to cross the finish line wins the competition. A number of injuries have occurred in the cheese frenzy, ranging from sprained ankles to concussions due to the steepness and unevenness of the terrain, which is why first aid service is now provided at the event for safety precautions.
Needless to say, hundreds of other wacky holidays occur throughout the world, and these are just a few to spark international interest. With these in mind, you are now justified in engaging in vicious tomato fights, parading around in straw, feeding monkeys your unwanted vegetables, and last but not least, rolling cheese down hills. After all, you are simply appreciating the diverse cultures of your world.